Wednesday, July 09, 2014

The older we get in life, the more we learn, it seems. For me, it is always a case where I wish
"older me" could have a talk with "younger me" and explain a few vital things.

I wasn't really taught too much about diet and exercise as a kid. I sort of figured to simply do what seems right and see where that takes me. And, I like to cut corners in life. I like to invest in myself, but the bare minimum to get by. And then, once I cut a corner, I rinse and repeat - feeling like I beat the system.

I listed these life views above, because when it comes to taking care of myself and my body, it is very easy for me to look for the shortest possible route to the results I want. Then, when I get to where I am going, I like to celebrate by stopping all of the good habits I have instilled in my life and just go back to doing whatever I want, which in this case includes eating whatever occurs to me at the time and working out whenever I feel like it.

Well, that doesn't cut it for a guy who has just turned 42. If only 34-year old me would have listened.

So, let me tell you where I am right now on my quest for fitness and wellness and just overall feeling great and liking what I see in the mirror.

Many years ago, my friend George DiGianni approached me about getting serious about accomplishing these goals. At the time, the idea of a 21-day Body Makeover seemed pretty revolutionary to me and it appealed to my sensibilities of getting results fast and then allowing me to go on with my life.

Well, George wants you to not treat it as a cheating mechanism in your life, but rather a new way to live all of the time to continue the results. But, as they say, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. George led me to the right plan, and honestly, for years it has never clicked for me after the 21-days. I will explain more about that in a minute.

But, his plan, which I have believed in and participated in for years is as good as advertised. I have done it many times and so has my wife and many of our friends who have signed up and found their results from George's strategies and supplements. It honestly, for me, is now a part of my annual calendar. You know, we will take a vacation here, we will do taxes here, we will clean the garage and change the oil here, and then I will get my body right here.

The 21 days only requires you to buy-in mentally. If you do, everything in the plan is simple. The eating is great - provided you follow the recipes and have committed to it. I actually look forward to the eating program because it is clean foods and clean eating. I have seen a few who were not committed and they just won't get the results if they are looking to cheat here and there or make too many exceptions. I challenge anyone to really sell out to make this work. If you do, the results will be there.

Exercise? Yes. You simply must make your body work to get results, but you already know that by looking in the mirror, right?

For me, I have always been a jogger, but George has certainly shared with me the truth that pushing your body for results does not happen by jogging. Yes, there are some good effects to running 5 miles in 40 minutes, but not the same as burst training or a full body workout over a much shorter time but with much greater intensity. Include your whole body in workouts that follow George's helpful videos and you will spend half the time getting twice the results.

This time, in the 21 days, I dropped down 15 pounds and could really tell the midsection transformation where, honestly, age has taken its toll.

I was sleeping better again and having more energy. I am telling you, it works every time.

Now, I know what you are saying. Bob, if it works so well, why do you allow yourself to ride the roller coaster where you need to keep doing it?

Well, 2 things. #1 - I think doing this program annually is not a bad plan for many other reasons besides weight loss. I think the supplements do in many ways reset your body to optimal conditions, just like going to the dentist for an annual cleaning helps keep your teeth healthy. I think the results say to do it for many reasons beyond weight loss and I will continue to do so indefinitely.

But, #2 - you are right. Why do I ride this roller coaster of weight? And, to be honest, the hills and valleys keep getting gradually higher. In the past, when dropping 15 pounds, I would be back near my early college weight. Now, my finishing weight after the program was what my starting weight before the program would be years back. That isn't good.

That is why I am really challenging myself to continue most of this eating protocol beyond 21 days. But, that is where personal commitment has to happen.

I live a busy schedule and the ability to prepare and eat clean foods is not always readily available. George will remind me to be prepared for these situations and if you are prepared, you will never have to compromise your commitment. He is right, but that is not always something I can do.

However, I finished the program on June 27. Here we are on July 9th, and I have not gone back to my old eating habits. Sure, I will enjoy a nice meal (last night had some pizza with the family) and have a few nights where I allow myself to order what I want, but the rest of the time I am eating exactly what I was eating on the program (which is not difficult). My breakfast, lunch, and snacks between are still right on point so my body is not taking in more than it is using.

Eating clean is a decision you have to make and I am finally there. But, without the 21-day body makeover from George, I just don't think that I would ever have the motivation to fix my diet and continue to feel that I am living far healthier in my 40s than I ever did in my 20s or 30s.

It is also interesting how my kids notice this difference in my eating and exercise and how they suddenly begin to make alterations in their habits, as well. If my wife and I can affect my kids sensibilities as they grow up, perhaps, they don't need to get to 40 to figure out that we are what we eat and to look and feel great requires a little strategy and education about how the body functions.

I only believe in this process because I have done it. I have seen the program continue to develop and what George is doing now is better than ever.

If you want to give it a shot, George wanted me to let you know about a P1 deal right now where if you order the program here and enter the promo code: P1, you will receive $30 off your price. That is a little price break for you, so perhaps it is time for you to give this a shot. I have done it several times and am always happy I have done it.

This time, I am going beyond 21 days. I would like to believe this commitment will lead me back to my college weight and have me feeling even better. We shall see, but perhaps now is the time for you to get going on this as well.

Good luck! If you are committed, you will get the results. And if you are still reading this, something tells me you are already committed.

2 comments:

Hi, Bob. Glad you're making a commitment to making it a lifestyle change instead of a diet. That's what us humans were meant for. A life of vitality and good health through whole foods.

I lost 45 pounds, from 225 to 170 by listening to George, but mainly investing a lot of time researching the best way to eat. I now eat very similar to Gabe Kapler. I'm sure you are slightly withholding to George, but take a minute to check out marksdailyapple.com when you get a chance. The Primal Blueprint is what I follow and will for the rest of my life. I'm done with fast, fake, and processed foods. It's quality meats, eggs, veggies, fruit and nuts for me.

Thanks for this write-up, Bob. I've considered George's plan many times, but after reading this I've finally just pulled the trigger for the first time. And, being 33 years old, maybe I can learn a little something from this that will better position me when I'm 42.